CSOs condemn Okpebholo’s threats against Peter Obi

Najib Sani, Gombe

Three prominent Nigerian civil society organisations, namely: ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication, Accountability Lab Nigeria, and Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), have strongly condemned Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s alleged recent threats against former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The groups described the governor’s remarks as a “veiled death threat” and an assault on Nigeria’s democratic principles.

According to reports, Governor Okpebholo allegedly warned Peter Obi not to enter Edo State without his permission, stating that Obi’s security would not be guaranteed.

The governor’s comments have sparked widespread outrage, with critics describing them as a disgraceful display of thuggery and a violation of Obi’s constitutional rights.

The organisations, in a joint press release issued to our correspondent on Sunday, raised concerns that the governor’s threats undermine Peter Obi’s rights to freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, and expression, as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

They also noted that the language used by the governor implied weaponisation of state security institutions for partisan ends, “which is a breach of Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

The groups further alleged that the governor’s remarks risk normalising electoral violence and intimidation ahead of the 2026 off-cycle election in Edo State.

“ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication, Accountability Lab Nigeria, and Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) have reviewed, with great concern, a viral video showing the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, making inflammatory and threatening remarks directed at a prominent opposition figure, Mr. Peter Obi.

“While addressing party supporters during the defection of a federal lawmaker to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the governor made remarks that violate democratic norms, undermine political freedom, and dangerously flirt with incitement, revealing a troubling disregard for the principles of tolerance and pluralism essential to any democracy.

“In the video, Governor Okpebholo is quoted as saying: ‘Tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me. His security will never be guaranteed… Whatever happens to him, he will take it… I am the new sheriff in town,” the statement read.

According to the groups, the incident echoes an emerging pattern where state actors and political incumbents use access to state power to bully, silence, or physically endanger opposition figures.

They asked the governor to withdraw “the threat” and apologise to Nigerians.